Band 6 Physiotherapist - Inpatient Therapy

Job Purpose:

• To undertake advanced assessments, clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients within
• In-patient rehabilitation setting. These patients have complex and / or chronic multi-pathology presentations.
• To work as an autonomous practitioner to undertake a significant specialist clinical caseload, working without direct supervision. Access to a senior Physiotherapist is available if required and clinical work is not routinely evaluated.
• To take a role in supervision and teaching of physiotherapists, assistants and students on placement within clinical specialty
• To demonstrate leadership skills and contribute to service development and monitoring of standards of practice and developing multidisciplinary management of patients.

Key Responsibilities:

• To communicate effectively with all disciplines involved in a patients care both those from within the organisation and those outside to ensure effective multidisciplinary working. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning.
• To be able to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting unwelcome news relating to their rehabilitation potential and gaining consent for treatment.
• To communicate any changes in care plan or treatment approach to other physiotherapists and members of the Multi-disciplinary team as appropriate.
• To ensure timely and effective communication with the Therapy manager and senior staff on all professional matters.
• To maintain accurate records in line with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy standards and Trust and service standards and policies.
• To attend relevant wards rounds, meetings and case conferences as appropriate in order to ensure appropriate management and effective and timely discharge of patients.
• To attend staff meetings and actively participate ensuring understanding of information imparted.
• Assess patients understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
• To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients in order to progress rehabilitation and treatment programs. This may include patients who will have difficulties in understanding or communicating, e.g. patients who may be deaf, blind, or be unable to accept diagnosis or presenting condition or who have cognitive and behavioral problems.
• To appreciate cultural differences and take these into account when agreeing treatment plans with patients.
• To manage frequently highly stressful conditions, ie critically ill patients, those who have had major trauma and frequent patient deaths.
• To manage patients who maybe occasionally aggressive or confused.
• To be able to manage potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner
• To undertake comprehensive assessments of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multipathologies.
• To use investigative and analytical skills to assess complex patients and support other more junior Physiotherapy staff, Therapy assistants and students with their patients as required.
• To devise individualized physiotherapy management and / or treatment plans, using clear, evidence based clinical reasoning skills.
• To formulate accurate prognoses and recommend best course of intervention, developing comprehensive discharge plans, liaising with community rehabilitation teams and Intermediate care teams.
• To evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programs if required.
• To evaluate the outcomes of your interventions.
• To demonstrate the physical ability to carry out physiotherapy assessments and interventions, including manual physiotherapy techniques and therapeutic handling. This includes frequent light to moderate physical effort
• To work as part of the team (both Physiotherapy team and wider MDT) to provide an efficient and effective service.
• To supervise band 5 physiotherapy staff and therapy assistants as appropriate.
• To evaluate own and other’s practice and identify own and others development needs.
• To participate in the appraisal scheme as an appraise and appraiser.
• Participate in the supervision of students.
• Deputise for the team leader when required.
• To provide training of junior staff, students, or assistants/technicians, other therapists, nursing staff and care workers within the clinical area.
• To be responsible for and actively record your own personal development. This may include active participation in journal clubs, clinical reasoning sessions and problem patient sessions as participant and facilitator.
• To ensure professional competence is maintained by participating in all CPD opportunities and maintaining a portfolio.
• To participate in any training sessions as a recipient and facilitator.
• To disseminate any training received to other staff and health care professionals.